NP833 to T56

[TIE_Fightertk06]

Well, I've been trolling my local yards and Craigslist since returning home from the big road trip with an eye out on upgrades for my little red '87 (shortbed 1/2 ton with a 305 and NPA833) and I found three local possibilities for a quick and easy swap: Two LT1/T56 pulls complete with ECMs and looms, and one older (92) Z28 350/T5 pull complete.

The early Z28 pull is relatively cheap (well under 2K), still in the car, and I'll be able to hear it run. Car had 90K on it before the ass end was smashed. The later model LT1/T56 pulls are clean and low mileage pulls as well, and have a 30 day warranty, but are $1000 more.

I'm leaning toward a late model lower mileage LT1 and 6 speed swap, despite the higher price, but whatever I pick with be getting at least one turbo eventually. The truck is just going to be a simple hotrod that'll I'll be driving daily and using for fun road trips where we don't need the space of the 'brurb. The only T56 I have experience with was in a Viper. I'm not at all familiar with the T5, but I know they were as prolific as the T56 is.

So, Has anyone put a T5 or T56 into one of these trucks? My concern is getting the shifter sorted out through the stock shifter location. Anyone know of mid or side shift tail housings for the T56 or T5 that'll get me close or right on to the stock tunnel opening?

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I'd vote older yes the LT1 would have more hp but it's the whole reverse coolant flow thing and the crappy distributor thing as well.

 

[CSFJ]

Isn't the t56 the better trans though? I didn't think the older camaros were available with a 5.7 in front of the t5, because it wouldn't hold up? At the very least, I'd make damn sure that the '92 engine is a legit 350.

 

[yevgenievich]

Even world class t5 not that great for a truck use. But in a light truck can be ok on street tires. Best would be to just get t56 trans and put it with the motor you want. 3rd gen camaros did not come factory with t5 and a 350. So it could be the better tpi motor or the same old tbi. Also good question on which t5 it has. Either motor or trans has been swapped on it. If it is non world class t5, just about run away from it.

Interwstingly enough, ls1 t56 bolts up to old small blocks easier than the lt1 version.

I have picked up high miles ls1 t56 for $1300 before, so add another $800 for a good 5.3 ls motor and another $1k for misc parts for newer drivetrain.

Or just get a t56 first bolted up to your existing motor and then just upgrade the motor later

 

[TIE_Fightertk06]

Yea, my big concern is the transmission...
I'm seeing midshift kits available, but I was hoping to hear from someone who had done a swap in a 4 speed truck to a T56 regarding fitment. I don't want to cut the hump up.

The Camaro engine is a 5.7 TPI, so maybe the T5 was swapped in before the car was wrecked? Maybe I got the year wrong? Either way, I've been leaning toward a T56 anyway.

If I can get a 350 and a better transmission into this truck for around 3K in one shot, I'll be happy. That'll give me enough to finish what I want to do to the suspension, brakes, and rear end.

I'll have to get some measurements for a T56 and a midshift kit and see what I can see.

 

[TIE_Fightertk06]

It looks like the McLeod adapter 82-1001 that will allow me to move the shifter up to the front position with a little bit of internal work. Nothing too crazy, though. Heck, I can get the whole shebang for $400 from Silver Sport:

https://shiftsst.com/store/t56-front-shift-kit.html

From there it'll just be a matter of sorting out the proper shift lever specs and Bob's my mother's brother, as they say. Mark one for the engineers, this time.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I thought it was Bobs your auntie? Lol

 

[TIE_Fightertk06]

Ha! Never heard that. Maybe old Bob is "gender fluid" these days?

I thought it was Bobs your auntie? Lol

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Ha! Never heard that. Maybe old Bob is "gender fluid" these days?

Lol

 

[BillyP]

Check and make sure that the '92 is a 350. From the factory you could not get a T5 behind the 350. The LT1 isn't a bad engine, the Opti can cause issues but I had one with over 150k miles original Opti. What year are the LT1s? The '95s are the most desirable due to the vented Opti, little larger cam and they were OBD1 with an OBD2 connector and the easiest to tune.

 

[bucket]

The later year pullouts are around 1K more because on average, a T56 is worth about 1K more than a T5.

Interwstingly enough, ls1 t56 bolts up to old small blocks easier than the lt1 version.

How so? The LT1 version bolts right up without swapping the input shaft. The factory type pull clutch and flywheel work fine with a '86-newer block, or there's a conversion flywheel for the older blocks.

 

[yevgenievich]

To me the short input shaft and pull style clutch of the lt1 t56 are the biggest drawbacks.
Extensive write up on t56 swaps.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/27-tr...information-first-generation-camaro-swap.html

The later year pullouts are around 1K more because on average, a T56 is worth about 1K more than a T5.



How so? The LT1 version bolts right up without swapping the input shaft. The factory type pull clutch and flywheel work fine with a '86-newer block, or there's a conversion flywheel for the older blocks.

 

[BillyP]

The later year pullouts are around 1K more because on average, a T56 is worth about 1K more than a T5.



How so? The LT1 version bolts right up without swapping the input shaft. The factory type pull clutch and flywheel work fine with a '86-newer block, or there's a conversion flywheel for the older blocks.

It won't work with the older small blocks without a lot of modification, that's why the F-body guys won't do it. You would have to change the input shaft, the bell housing and the clutch setup. If you use the LT1 style T56, you just use the LT1 slave setup with the LT1 flywheel and clutch.

 

[yevgenievich]

Coming from a first gen f body side, the ls1 t56 to sbc was has always appeared more easier. It all depends on the application and the current after market

 

[bucket]

Coming from a first gen f body side, the ls1 t56 to sbc was has always appeared more easier. It all depends on the application and the current after market

I did read through the link you posted and I was not aware that there are so many swap parts available. I still think that the LT1 version is the easiest way to go, especially if replacing a T5 or a 700R4. BUT, with the swap parts now available and the LT1 units getting a little scarce, just use whichever version you can get your hands on for a good price.